Why I Chose to Start My Coaching Journey
As a business growth coach, I spend most of my time helping others develop their businesses—challenging them to think critically, set ambitious goals, and work through their roadblocks. But recently, I realised I needed to turn that lens inward. I needed someone to question my approach, hold me accountable, and make sure my plans were financially viable and strategically sound.
When looking for a coach, I knew I needed someone with strong financial expertise who could tie growth directly to my business’s financial health. I’ve got plenty of ideas and a clear vision of what I want to achieve, but without a solid financial plan, it’s easy to run into roadblocks.
That’s where Donald from Clarity Accounting came in. He’s not just an accountant but an experienced business owner who’s been through the ups and downs, the successes and the mistakes, and has the insight to ask the tough questions.
For me, choosing Donald wasn’t just about finding a coach; it was about finding someone who could challenge me the way I challenge my clients. It’s funny how I spend so much time asking others the hard questions but often overlook applying that same rigour to my own business. I needed someone who could see the big picture while also diving into the financial details to ensure every step forward was the right one.
This coaching journey is about more than just achieving growth—it's about aligning my business strategy with the financial insights and accountability needed to make it a reality. Over the coming months, I’ll be sharing updates and reflections on this journey, and I look forward to taking you along with me.
The First Session: Setting the Scene
In this first session, Donald had me act as if he didn’t know me or my business. I walked him through every aspect of my company, from where we currently stand to where I want us to be, and the different services I offer. It felt like laying everything out on the table, raw and real.
Donald asked some essential questions, especially around how I allocate my time across my various responsibilities. For instance, he challenged me to think about what my ongoing roadmap looks like for clients after completing a Growth Roadmap. He made me reflect on how many days I can realistically dedicate to different aspects of my work—social media, admin, client growth, marketing, networking, and more.
One key takeaway from today’s session was Donald’s advice to hold off on any immediate financial decisions until we have a clearer picture of what I need to save each month for ongoing expenses like VAT and corporation tax. While I’m fairly good at this, some elements are still handled on an ad hoc basis. This is my biggest fear in business - managing my money well, having he right savings and still being able to grow. Donald and I are going to get more strategic about it—creating a consistent approach to savings and investments for growth.
This clarity will help me shape a more strategic growth plan, based on actual financial figures rather than assumptions. It’s not about halting growth, but about taking more calculated steps forward. There might be additional stages I need to complete before jumping into some of the bigger plans I have in mind, but having this level of financial visibility will make all the difference.
Donald has given me some homework to complete before our next session.
This process is about more than just numbers—it’s about taking a step back, looking at the big picture, and making sure that every move I make aligns with my vision for Clarity Consultants. In the coming weeks, I’ll be taking you along this coaching journey with me, sharing insights into what it’s like to be coached, as a coach, by another coach.
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Diary of My Coaching Journey: Session Two – Facing the Numbers and Making Big Decisions
After my first session with Donald, I had a hefty homework assignment: to dig deep into my business finances. This meant splitting all income and costs across the different services I offer, such as social media management, Growth Roadmaps, and training.
Breaking It All Down
Although I already had a general idea of where most of my income came from, actually laying it all out was eye-opening. By dividing the numbers into categories and aligning them with associated costs, I could see exactly how much each service contributed to the overall business and how those figures compared to the company’s running costs.
This process made me think differently about where I was spending money and how those expenses were—or weren’t—benefiting the business. It also pushed me to reflect on how much time I spend on each service versus the return it brings.
Session Two: Digging Deeper
In our second session, Donald and I went further into the details. We looked at the business’s current financial position, the reserves I’ve built up, and my long-term financial goals.
One of the key tasks was estimating when I would hit my target reserves—a milestone that will give me more security and room for growth. Of course, as Donald reminded me, once I hit that target, the goalpost will likely shift again!
The real lightbulb moment came when we worked out my daily rates for different services. This wasn’t just about setting a price—it was about understanding the costs, time, and value associated with each offering.
The Pricing Debate
We had a long discussion about pricing. Donald challenged me to consider:
The differences between clients who book one-to-one sessions versus those with larger teams requiring additional pre- and post-work.
The balance between my “big money maker” (social media services) and my passion projects (Growth Roadmaps and training).
It was clear that I needed to adapt my pricing to reflect the true value of what I offer while also building a sustainable plan for the long-term growth of my favourite parts of the business.
One big takeaway? I need to be brave about raising prices where necessary. Donald reminded me that I’ve done this before, and the results were positive. Customers who leave due to price increases often would have moved on anyway, while those who stay value what I do—and pay accordingly.
Upsells and Long-Term Strategy
Another focus was creating a catalogue of services and add-ons for my existing clients. The Growth Roadmap, for example, is a brilliant starting point, but it needs follow-ups and upsells to maintain client engagement.
This led to discussions about turning ad hoc offerings into structured products, such as one-off training courses or in-depth days. Not only would this streamline my offerings, but it would also make it easier for clients to see the full range of what I provide.
Opportunity Cost and Tough Conversations
One of the hardest discussions was about opportunity cost—understanding what I might be giving up by spending time on certain activities. For instance, one of the other businesses I co-own has a lower daily rate than my standard, but it offers long-term potential for growth and future sale value.
Donald helped me weigh these factors, asking hard questions about whether the time I invest in that business could be better spent on my own company. It was a challenging but necessary conversation, and it helped me see the bigger picture of how all my ventures align—or don’t—with my overall goals.
The Homework Continues
By the end of the session, I had plenty to work on:
Creating a detailed catalogue of services and products.
Reviewing my pricing structure to ensure it aligns with my goals.
Strategising how to transition my focus over the next 12 months from social media services to Growth Roadmaps and training.
Although it’s a lot to tackle, I’m excited. The process of organising my services and plans feels like pulling scattered pieces together into something cohesive.
Final Thoughts on Session Two
This session was longer—two hours—but incredibly valuable. What I appreciate most about working with Donald is how he challenges me. He asks the tough questions, listens as I talk through my thoughts, and gently pushes me toward decisions that align with the goals I set for myself.
It’s not just about numbers; it’s about accountability, clarity, and ensuring that every step forward is strategic and intentional.
I’ve got plenty of work ahead (and yes, I’ll probably tackle some of it over the Christmas holidays), but I’m genuinely looking forward to it. With Donald’s guidance, I feel more confident than ever about the direction of my business—and the journey ahead.
Stay tuned for part three, where I’ll share more insights and progress from this coaching adventure!
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